Day 22: Green Flash Imperial IPA

Name: Green Flash Imperial IPA

Brewer: Green Flash Brewing (San Diego, CA)

Classification: American IPA

Alcohol: 7%

Thoughts: Last weekend I took a trip to Tyler's Taproom, as I have being doing to check out some good beers. After I had ordered I overheard the bartender, who seemed rather knowledgeable on the subject of beer, talking about how much he liked Green Flash IPA. He also had recommended the Great Divide Grand Cru I had a little while back. So I thought I would try it next time I was at Tyler's. Except I forgot about it and got the North Coast Scrimshaw. However, this time I remembered and I am very glad I did because I was in for a treat. When it showed up at my table I couldn't help but smile at how great this beer looked. It was a beautiful grainy gold with a nice soft white head and enough sediment to keep me from seeing through it. The smell was intoxicating! It was flowery, bitter and I got lots of grapefruit and some cannabis in my nose. They all blended extremely well. I think this is the first beer on this journey I did a double take on. After the first sip I immediately had to go back in for another one. It was that good.  The citrus, flowers, and hops were spot on with the smell. The aftertaste was remarkably smooth and a little dry to create that great crispness that leaves you longing for more. The hops in this were sensational and not overbearing. This is an IPA I would recommend to others who struggle with the hoppiness of other, stronger IPAs. I will be go back to this one when The Beer Year is over and I can drink as much as I like of whatever I like. 

Rating: 92/100

Day 21: Sea Dog Raspberry Wheat Ale

Name: Sea Dog Raspberry Wheat Ale

Brewer: Sea Dog Brewing (Camden, ME)

Classification: Fruit/Vegetable Wheat Ale

Alcohol: 4.5%

Thoughts: The other day when I went to the store to get some beers for the week I brought my wife Laura. I was in a good mood, as I usually am if I'm buying beer, and I thought I'd let her pick out a beer for me. I did this knowing she was going to pick a fruit beer or one in a pink bottle. Well, I was right. She picked this Raspberry Wheat Beer. I immediately felt girlie when I opened the bottle and the notes of raspberry came pouring out. So I tried to man up this brew with my mantastic beard glass, that my wife coincidentally also picked out. I expected it to pour a pinkish color, but it actually was more of a soft gold. You could see how carbonated this beer was as soon as the head settled. Because of the raspberry and wheat in the beer I expected it to taste like a pastry, and it did. A very stale, shitty pastry. This was an absolutely horrendous beer. I didn't drink enough of it to really get much from it to be truthful. I just couldn't handle it. This is last time I let Laura pick a beer for me, but she agreed it was shit. 

Rating: 41/100

Day 20: De Konick

Name: De Koninck

Brewer: Brouwerij De Koninck (Antwerpen, Belgium)

Classification: Belgian Pale Ale

Alcohol: 5.2%

Thoughts: When it comes to Belgian beer most styles or even breweries have their own special glass. Some have stem glasses, some have pilsner glasses, but most have snifters or tulip glasses. Well I didn't have any clean ones so this one got a regular old American pint glass. This may not seem like much, but the glasses serve special purposes. It keeps in the smell, opens the taste or whatever else they are meant to do. So this De Koninck may not have been treated with the respect it deserves. Oh, well here we go. It pours a great hazy amber. The head was really thick, this may have been attributed to the fact that I was watching The Sopranos and an explosion went off. The taste was slightly stale at first, but I tried to swirl it and open it up and it quickly turned into a really nice beer. I got crisp hops and toasted malts with a slightly bittersweet aftertaste. Fairly traditional for a standard Belgian Pale Ale. I think this would be better on tap and in the correct glass. However, I would have this one again. 

Rating: 80/100

Day 19: Mad Beach

Name: Mad Beach

Brewer: Aviator Brewing (Fuquay-Varina, NC)

Classification: Hefeweizen

Alcohol: ?

Thoughts: I am not sure if this beer is a limited edition or just really new, but I am unable to find any information about it. The Aviator website doesn't even mention it. The only information I have on it is from the bartender and my experience drinking it. But I'll do my best. The color was a classic gold with a little bit of sediment from the wheat. It had a wonderful sweet bready aroma, almost like banana bread. It almost smelled like a dessert. The taste echoed on the notes from the sight and smell of it. It was smooth, subtle, and slightly spicy. It tasted like a traditional hefeweizen, but with some extra sweetness. This brew had a wonderful feel to it. It was somewhere between light bodied and medium bodied. The aftertaste was lasting and enjoyable. I would certainly have this again, but apparently it doesn't really exist ... except in the Matrix! I have heard many good things about Aviator (another great North Carolina craft brewer), and I hope this is a sign of things to come. 

Rating: 84/100

Day 18: Southern Tier Hopsun

Name: Southern Tier Hopsun

Brewer: Southern Tier Brewery (Lakewood, NY)

Classicification: American Wheat Ale

Alcohol: 5.1%

Thoughts: You know a beer is in trouble when it is a wheat beer and it is as clear as this one. A wheat beer should be a golden orange with sediment floating in it. This was not. A soft yellowy gold that looks watered down. However, the smell was citrusy and full of hops. Then I drank it and it immediately tasted like a bad batch. It was well watered down, and only light on taste. I am going to re-check the bottle to make sure it wasn't a light beer or some crap like that. It was uninventive, unimpressive and unpleasant to say the least. I found no summer, no sun and no wheat in this Summer Wheat Ale. I won't be drinking this again.

Rating: 62/100

Day 17: Scrimshaw Pilsner

Name: Scrimshaw Pilsner

Brewer: North Coast Brewing Co. (Fort Bragg, CA)

Classification: German Pilsner

Alcohol: 4.4%

Thoughts: If you have been reading my blog then you may remember my post about Bitbuger, and my major problem with bottled pilsners. Well here is a pilsner draft and I can tell you there is a huge obvious difference. This pilsner poured a darker gold than the Bitburger. It is actually darker than most of the pilsners I've seen. The sweetness and bready malts are present in the nose of this beer. The taste is extremely well balanced. Maybe the most balanced of any of the beers I have tried so far. There of hints of grain and malts and the finish is dry, but sweet. I feel like this is a very traditional taste for beer. If you walked into a beer house in Germany you would be greeted with a giant liter of something that tastes real similar to this. I really enjoyed it.

Now to plug Tyler's Taproom for a second. Tyler's was recently named one of the Top 100 Beer Bars in the US. It is where I have been doing some of my "research" and my wife loves it so she suggests we go there and I never refuse. Their beer menu is in a leather bound book. I mean, come on ... that's legit. If you are ever in Durham, NC try it out. 

Rating: 83/100

Day 16: Petrus Oud Bruin

Name: Petrus Oud Bruin

Brewer: Brouwerij Bavik (Bavikhove, Belgium)

Classification: Flanders Oud Bruin

Alcohol: 5.5%

Thoughts: Bet you didn't know there was a classification called Flanders Oud Bruin did you? Well to be honest, neither did I until I found this one. I really had no clue what I was getting into when I ordered it, but this is what I experienced. The color was a dark, rich red with an airy pinkish-brown head. The smell on this beer was something else. It was tart, oaky and reeked of cherries. When I was drinking it the sour cherry flavor mixed well with the sweet malts and made for unique experience. Despite it being a beer, there are no traces of alcohol in it. It was very light-bodied and a easy to drink. I wouldn't chug it, but it is not a sipper. After a little research I discovered that this beer is oak aged for 20 months after it is produced. I think this explains some of the flavors. I wouldn't necessarily order this again, because it is not my style, but if it was in front of me I wouldn't say no. 

Rating: 79/100

Day 15: Carver Sweet Potato Lager

Name: Carver Sweet Potato Lager

Brewer: Fullsteam Brewery (Durham, NC)

Classification: Fruit/Vegetable Lager

Alcohol: 5.5%

Thoughts: Yes, that's right, a sweet potato beer. Fullsteam is my favorite local brewery and I am a huge fan of their beer, but also their ideals. The are a "plow to pint" brewery meaning they use sustainable, local ingredients. They also aim to make southern style beers. This sweet potato lager combines both of those. I have been wanting to try this because, well, IT'S SWEET POTATO BEER! On first glance the color is a dark amber and slight orange. There is an aroma of sweet vegetables (obviously), earthy hops and caramel. When I first tasted the beer I expected a burst of sweetness from using potatoes that really could make it a "love it or hate it" beer. But that didn't happen. The flavor was rather modest, but there were noticeable sweet malts and spicy hops. There was little to no aftertaste though, which came as a surprise (take this however you want). Because it is so smooth, so drinkable, and such a simple taste I feel like I will be having this beer over and over again. Also, you will most likely see me try the full range of Fullsteam brews during this Beer Year.

Rating: 82/100

Day 14: Allagash White

Name: Allagash White 

Brewer: Allagash Brewing Company (Portland, ME)

Classification: Witbier

Alcohol: 5.2%

Thoughts: Witbiers are quite possibly my favorite style of beer and I took about 20 minutes deciding which one to choose for this post. I promise I will have more later, but I was hoping to start with a bang. Yesterday I had a saison, not a traditional one, but if you look at the pictures you can see the similarities. They are both a cloudy yellow with traces of sediment floating around. The smell, taste and feel is where they differ though. After a few whiffs you can discover the notes of clove, banana, and coriander. This Allagash White has an orangey, tangy wheat taste that is a familiar call sign for witbiers. This one is set apart by its hints of pepper and tartness. It is simply phenomenal! It feels thin and bubbly and bites the tongue with every sip. It is one of the most enjoyable witbiers I have ever had. If you like Blue Moon or Shock Top go for this instead.

Rating: 90/100 

Day 13: Saison Dupont

Name: Saison Dupont

Brewer: Brasserie Dupont (Tourpes-Leuze, Belgium)

Classification: Saison

Alcohol: 6.5%

Thoughts: July 21st is Belgian Independence day and even though this will be the post for July 22nd, I will review a beer I drank on the 21st. Saisons are called Farmhouse Ales in the United States. They are typically dark, very spicy and sophisticated. This saison was a little different. It poured a hazy yellowish gold and it was difficult to see through. The aroma was faint, but I could notice lemon, lots of pepper and something funky I could not figure out. It took me almost the whole glass to figure out the taste. There was obviously some spice, but also some citrus flavor and a bit of sourness. It actually tasted more like a witbier (which will be tomorrow's post) than a true saison to me. It was light and the drinkablity was great. It was 99 degrees out when I was drinking it and I feel like it was refreshing, almost like lemonade. I really liked the zest and the attitude I got from the aftertaste. I love Belgian beer! It is the second best beer country in the world (behind Germany, in my opinion) and I am proud to help them celebrate their independence with Saison Dupont. 

Rating:  87/100

Day 12: DeadEye Jack Porter

Name: DeadEye Jack 

Brewer: LoneRider Brewing Company (Raleigh, NC)

Classification: American Porter

Alcohol: 6.0%

Thoughts: I probably won't be trying too many porters and stouts because they are a taste I have yet to acquire. However, there are plenty of ones out there that I enjoy. DeadEye Jack is one of those. It poured a deep, dark brown with a thin, beige head. It sorted of look like fresh brewed coffee. The smell consists of sweet, rich chocolate and toffee. It was very similar to a dessert wine in many aspects of its aroma. The taste fallows suit as it tastes like chocolate milk with an alcohol aftertaste. It's feel was well balanced and full of gravity. I did enjoy this porter, but I didn't love it. I know people who enjoy porters and really like DeadEye Jack. LoneRider is a local brewery to me and has a couple of other really good beers. So I imagine as I try more porters and stouts I will be able to tell the true value of this beer. But for now I have to give it a rating based on this tasting. 

Rating: 78/100

Day 11: Oak Aged Made Hatter IPA

Name: Oak Aged Mad Hatter IPA

Brewer: New Holland Brewing (Holland, MI)

Classification: American IPA

Alcohol: 7.5%

Thoughts: When I was at the store picking this one out there were like 3 other Mad Hatters by New Holland, but I wanted to try this one because it was oak aged. I wanted to see if the oak aging process really adds a dynamic to the beer. The color is a medium amber and the foam is plain white, which ribboned around the glass incredible well. The intricate smell was composed of cloves, coconut and oak of course. The taste is two dimensional. On the front of the tongue you get the oak and the bready malts. On the back end of the tongue you taste the bitterness from the floral hops, but it is smooth and not choppy like some IPAs. It is extremely well carbonated and the dryness can be felt in the mouth. This wasn't a traditional IPA by any means and it stands out for me as one of the more interesting beers I've had on this quest so far. The oak is present in almost every aspect of the beer and adds that likable characteristic that I feel some IPAs are missing. 

Rating: 87/100

Day 10: Bitburger ... More like Shitburger!

Name: Bitburger

Brewer: Bitburger Brauerei (Bitburger, Germany)

Classification: German Pilsner

Alcohol: 4.8%

Thoughts: I may not be a linguist, but I am pretty sure that Bitburger is German for "Duck Shit"! I was dared to start my post off with that sentence, and Bitburger isn't really that bad. However, pilsners have a huge problem when they are bottled. They gain a metallic aftertaste that can really ruin the experience. When they are on tap there is no better class of beer to drink! They are crisp, refreshing, and oh so drinkable. The reason I chose Bitburger in the first place is because it is the highest selling beer in Germany (the Greatest Beer County of them all) and I've never had it. Also, because I didn't want to just drink beers that you had to buy at a specialty store or order from the brewer directly. You can pick it up at most local grocery stores. Bitburger pours a clear, straw color and smells mainly of lemon and sweet bread. The taste is similar to a Corona after you have juiced a lime into it. I know it's not much to go on, but the metallic aftertaste really puts a damper on the experience. I am sure this is a much better beer than what I am rating it, but I have to judge it on this experience and this experience only. 

Rating: 65/100

Day 9: Great Divide Grand Cru

Name: Great Divide Grand Cru

Brewer: Great Divide (Denver, CO)

Classification: Belgian Strong Dark Ale

Alcohol: 11.0%

Thoughts: Great Divide is another big craft brewer that has made some waves in the beer world. However, this is the first beer that I've had from them. I will most likely be going back to them in the future. This Grand Cru was a terrific drink. As you can see in the picture it pours a dark brown, almost black with about an inch of foam on top. The smell is tantilizing and a unique one at that. I sensed wood, grapefruit, and loads of spice. My first sip left me a bit dazed as it is quite complex, but I may also have been preoccupied with the smell to notice much. As I kept drinking it I was drawn in by the richness of the Belgian yeast and the fruity complexity. It is medium-bodied, but was very drinkable. I had just a 10oz drink, but I could and would enjoy more. It has taken only 9 days for Dead Guy Ale (the best beer I had ever had before I started) to be overtaken. This Grand Cru is dynamic, sophisticated and down right good. 

Rating: 89/100

Day 8: Endless River

Name: Endless River 

Brewer: Mother Earth Brewing (Kinston, NC)

Classification: Kölsch

Alcohol: 4.9%

Thoughts: Endless River is my first North Carolina beer that I have reviewed and I will try and not have any bias towards it. I was out for lunch with my friend Greg for lunch and we went to a local restaurant called Geer Street Garden, which has a pretty decent craft brew selection. I chose Endless River because I thought it would pair nicely with the chacutaire plate we ordered. And it did. It is a beautiful golden color with a even better crisp fruity smell to it. I even smelt some freshly cut grass in there somewhere. When I sipped the beer the hops were earthy, acidity and with a hint of tartness. There was some spice, but it faded before it fully developed on my tongue. This was a lighter beer with a thin body. Great for sitting outside in the sun and chatting about life. It also paired well the the salami, brie and other munchies we had on our plate. I really liked this beer and I hope to try more from this brewer. 

Rating: 84/100

Day 7: Shoals Pale Ale

Name: Shoals Pale Ale

Brewer: Smuttynose Brewing Co. (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)

Classification: American Pale Ale

Alcohol: 5.0%

Thoughts: I've had an India Pale Ale already this week and now an American Pale Ale. I tend to be in favor of the American Pale Ale because I'm a Patriot! ... and because it is usually less bitter. Let's see how it matches up. This beer was poured a slightly clouded copper with a wonderfully fluffy head. On first whiff it has a doughy, yet citrusy vapor that seemed to remain mostly in the bottle. The taste is dry and the floral, piney hops are solidly present. This is a good beer, not great and not memorable. I really wanted to like this beer more because it looks so good. I hope I am not ruining this beer for anybody because it is a good beer. It was refreshing and the taste was crisp. It is not a six-pack beer, more of a one-timer then find some other beer to try. 

Rating: 79/100

Day 6: Flying Fish Belgian Style Dubbel

Name: Flying Fish Belgian Style Dubbel

Brewer: Flying Fish Brewing Co. (Cherry Hill, NJ)

Classification: Abbey Dubbel

Alcohol: 7.0%

Thoughts: The problem with this beer is that it is in the company of some of the most well-critiqued beers world-wide, the "Abbey Dubbel" family. These are usually beers brewed by monks in monasteries  that have been brought up to be celibate and to brew the best beers in order to quell their sexual appetite. This beer does not live up to those types of Abbey Dubbels. But, its not bad. It pours a wonderfully chocolaty-brown, and smells of raisins (similar to wine). The taste follows the same line but with more of a hoppy bite and small contingent of pepper. It finishes similar to its start and is extremely drinkable. I expected more from it. It is missing some spice, or character, or something else I can't put my finger on. It's a decent attempt from an American brewer making something Belgian monks spend their whole life perfecting.  

Rating:  76/100

Day 5: Lucky 13 Anniversary Release

Name: Lucky 13 Anniversary Release

Brewer: Lagunitas Brewing Co. (Petaluma, CA)

Classification: American Amber/Red Ale

Alcohol: 8.9%

Thoughts: This was a very tough beer to understand, and I honestly feel that this is a good thing. So, let's start with the beginning and work our way to the end. When poured this ale has a clear, auburn color with a small off-white head that laces nicely around the top of the glass. It smells of biscuit, caramel and pear. It's not strong, but it's present and very much a red ale smell. When I tasted it the first thing I noticed was not so much the taste, but the texture of the beer. Medium to full body, some carbonation and fairly dry. It tastes of nuts and malt with a tea-flavored aftertaste. This was definitely a challenge for me, but luckily it came in a 22oz. bottle which gave me plenty of time to ponder. Lucky 13 was created for the 13th anniversary of Lagunitas Brewing Co, and was crafted with care and a great knowledge of beer. This charged red ale is a fantastic experience and my advice for drinking is to sip slowly because it tastes better when it is cooling off.

Rating:  85/100

Day 4: Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale

Name: Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale

Brewer: Black Sheep Brewery (Masham, UK)

Classification: English Pale Ale

Alcohol: 4.7%

Thoughts: I chose this beer solely on the amazing name it has. I didn't expect much out of it because I thought the name was only so awesome because the beer was not good and they thought idiots like me would buy it. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The first thing you notice when you open the bottle is the immediate smell of freshly baked bread. I literally wafted it while I waited for the head of foam to calm down as it was moustache-thick. The first sip was extremely fresh and crisp with floral, fruity hops and more notes of baked bread. The glass was left with a wonderful circle of lace, which is always a sign of good quality in beer. I think this is a great summer beer that would pair excellently with a number of sharp cheeses. It has a great feel to it. Not too thick and not too thin. It is a real traditional English beer that is best served cold and poured in a frosted glass. I would 100% drink it again. I also want to note that I wanted and tried to fit a bunch of quotes from the movie here, but they were terrible and unfunny. So, I am going to just finish with a random one. 

"You must cut down the mightiest tree in the forest... WITH... A HERRING!"

Rating: 84/100

Day 3: Hopsecutioner IPA

 

Name: Hopsecutioner IPA

Brewer: Terrapin Beer Co. (Athens, GA)

Classification: India Pale Ale

Alcohol: 7.2%

Thoughts: Let me say that IPAs are not my forte, but I have had some and I know a little about them. What I know is that they are usually hop heavy and really bitter. Well, you would think something named Hopsecutioner would fit right in with those two things. F Dat Juice! This IPA is definitely malty (not heavy malts, but heavier than the hops) with a citrusy, piney taste. The bitterness is there, but not like in a traditional IPA. I may be crazy, but it had an aftertaste of cannabis (Don't ask me how I know this). It even had a slight burn once it went down my throat. The color is great though. It is a real pure gold that most beers wish they could be. I would try this again in a draft, but I could never buy and finish a six-pack. I really expected more excitement, but I was satisfied with the result.

Rating: 78/100

Day 2: Main Engine Start

Name: Main Engine Start

Brewer: Brooklyn Brewery (Brooklyn, NY)

Classification: Abbey Singel

Alcohol: 6.2%

Thoughts: This Brewmaster's Reserve Series is a German style "Abbey Singel" beer from one of the best breweries in the U.S. It is a dry, golden ale with a biscuity malt taste that splashes the palate quite sophisticatedly. You can clearly taste the spice from the Belgian yeast and the snappy hop bite as it hits the back of your throat. It has an herby style finish as if you eaten something with a real zest to it. It really accentuated the spicy pork I had with it, but I think it would really balance out a sweet dish better. This will not be my last Brooklyn Brewery beer as they have contributed a number of beers on my "To Drink" list. However, this is only my second blog post and I already feel pretentious with this pseudo-intellectual talk. Oh well, 363 more to go!

Rating: 81/100

Day 1: Dead Guy Ale

 

Name: Dead Guy Ale

Brewer: Rogue Ales (Newport, OR)

Classification: German Maibock/Helles Bock

Alcohol: 6.5%

Thoughts: I've decided to start big. Before I started this year of beer, Dead Guy Ale was the best beer I had ever had. I don't know if that speaks to my inexperience in the beer world or the fact that there is just so much fucking beer out there! However, I wanted to see if it could hold up over the year. 

Despite the word "Ale" being in the name of the beer it is no ale. This a German beer through and through. It has a classic orange/copper color that is better in person and the picture does it no justice. It smells of honey and sweetness and freshness and beer (of course). Dead Guy Ale is a versatile beer and can be drunken crisp and cold or warmly sipped. The German hops are upfront when you drink it and the finish is smooth with a slight hint of vanilla. It has a texture and a drinkability of a fine wine. It is a tremendous beer that I recommend to any type of drinker. Actually, the Most Interesting Man in the World would prefer this to Dos Equis. It's just that good. Also this will remain my number one beer for at least one day (See the Top 10 List). 

Rating: 88 /100

My Quest

Hello All!

I am very excited to say that tomorrow, Sunday July 10th in the year of our Beer Lord 2011, I will be setting forth on a journey to achieve the most amazing feat man has accomplished many a time! I will do what a number of men (and women) have done before me and what a lot others will do after me. What is this incredible conquest I have decided to endeavor upon? I will attempt to drink a beer every day for an entire year! Ooooohhhhhhh! Aaaaaahhhhhhh!

Actually I plan to drink a different beer, some of the best beer I can find, every day for a year and review them. I will give my insight, information about the beer, and rate them every day. Please feel free to offer your comments, thoughts, recommendations or whatever else you feel like sharing. Wish me luck and sobriety!

Sincerely,

Kyle R. Abrams